Funk (1871-1923) Was One of Mclean County’S Most Renowned Suffragists and Society Women
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Florence Mae Risser Funk (1871-1923) was one of McLean County’s most renowned suffragists and society women. Politically well-connected, Funk not only lobbied for women’s universal right to vote, but also worked to elect political candidates who favored the cause. In the 1916 presidential race, she actively campaigned for Charles Evans Hughes, a progressive Republican and expressed supporter of suffrage for women. She also rallied women to aid in the war effort during the First World War, and championed other important civic projects through her various affiliations at local, state, and national levels. Due in part to her leadership, Illinois became one of the first states to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which stated that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”1 By the end of her brief life, Funk’s list of accomplishments was formidable. Florence Mae Risser was born in Bloomington, Illinois on October 28, 1871. She was one of three children born to Abraham Frank and Mary Francis (Holmes) Risser. According to family history, Florence was a descendent, on her mother’s side, of William Bradford, who immigrated to North America on the Mayflower and served as governor of the Plymouth Colony intermittently between 1621 and 1657. 2 Florence’s father, Abraham (by some accounts, Absalom; others, Abram) was a self-made man, a German immigrant who rose from humble beginnings to build one of the most successfully saddlery businesses in the United States.3 His example evidently instilled in Florence the fortitude to doggedly seek social change. Abraham Frank Risser was born in the state of Hesse, Germany on September 9, 1831 and immigrated to the United States with his parents, Jacob and Mary Schnider Risser, in 1854, lighting eventually in Ashland County, Ohio.4 Abraham ventured farther West, establishing himself in the saddlery hardware trade in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois. His business plans were interrupted in 1862 when he enlisted in the Union Army’s 106th Illinois Infantry Regiment in Lincoln, Illinois.5 After the war, Abraham made his way to Bloomington, Illinois, to re-enter the saddlery trade, this time as a wholesaler. It was in Bloomington that he met and married Mary Frances Holmes, the daughter of prominent local attorney William Henry (W.H.) Holmes, on January 18, 1871.6 In 1877, Abraham moved his family to Chicago, hoping the larger city setting would connect his budding business to more competitive sales and distribution. The Risser family took up residence at 3251 South Park Avenue. Once settled, he formed the partnership of Risser & Reitz, a wholesale saddlery. Eventually, he assumed sole proprietorship of the company, renaming it A.F. Risser & Co. According to his obituary in the Chicago Inter Ocean, the company became “the largest of its kind in this country.” Seventeen years later, Abraham died suddenly of heart failure on September 23, 1894, leaving a widow, Mary; daughter, Florence; and sons Willis, Louis, and Frank.7 1 “19th Amendment to the United States Constitution,” https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive- constitution/amendment/amendment-xix (August 24, 2020). 2 “Mrs. Frank Funk Active in Many Lines,” Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), January 10, 1914. 3 A Saddler makes saddles, harnesses, and other equipment for horses. “Saddler,” Merriam- Webster.com. 2020, https://www.merriam-webster.com (14 July 2020). 4 “Abraham Risser,” New York, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957, Metropolis, 1854. 5 “Obituary Record for A. F. Risser,” The Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL), November 26, 1894. 6 Ibid, 8. 7 Ibid, 8. 1 In 1890, following her formative years and education at both public and private schools in Chicago, Florence enrolled in Vassar College where she studied painting (drawing). She received a diploma in 1893.8 Florence and her classmates were termed “special, preparatory, and art students.”9 According to Dean Rogers, a library specialist at Vassar’s Archives and Special Collections Library, the School of Art and Music “was a separate division within the College.”10 Upon graduation, Florence returned to Chicago. On December 11, 1895, Florence married Frank Hamilton Funk, whom she had known from her childhood in Bloomington. The wedding took place at 8 o’clock in the evening in her mother’s home in Chicago.11 It was reported that the bridal party was comprised of the couple’s friends from Vassar and Yale. 12 The newlyweds took up residence at 907 N. McLean St., Bloomington, on the Franklin Park square, where they would remain for the rest of Florence’s life.13 With her marriage to Frank, Florence joined one of the most prominent and politically active families in McLean County. Frank was born to Benjamin Franklin and Sarah Jane (Hamilton) Funk on April 5, 1869. “Ben” was an agronomist and statesman, serving as mayor of Bloomington (1871-76, 1884-86) and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1893- 95).14 Frank was educated in local schools, including Illinois State Normal University in Normal, Illinois and Lawrenceville Academy in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He then attended and graduated from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, one of six Funk men to matriculate the Ivy League school. Upon his graduation in 1891, he returned to Bloomington.15 Florence and Frank were the parents to three children: Mary Cassandra (1899-1943), Benjamin Franklin II (1902-1969), and Florence Risser (1903-1981).16 Frank, like his father, was an agronomist by trade, managing 2,200 of his family’s 22,000- acre farm in Funk’s Grove, 20 miles southwest of Bloomington. Also like his father, Frank was interested in public service. In 1908 he was elected a Republican state senator in Illinois, serving until 1913. He made unsuccessful runs for governor of Illinois in 1912, and for the U.S. Senate in 1913.17 Undiscouraged, he was elected to the U.S. Congress from the 17th District and served three terms, from 1921 to 1927.18 Florence spent her early married life in Bloomington being a wife and mother, and dabbling in social circles. Having studied the visual arts at Vassar in her youth, and recognizing her need for life-long learning, she soon became interested in local organizations such as the History and 8 “Mrs. Frank Funk Active in Many Lines;” “Alumnae Biographical Issue” Bulletin of Vassar College (1939), Vol. 29, No. 2. 9 “Alumnae Biographical Issue” Bulletin of Vassar College (1939), Vol. 29, No. 2. 10 Dean Rogers, June 15, 2018, email message to Carol Straka. 11 “Funk-Risser,” The Inter Ocean, December 12, 1895. 12 “Wedding Fixed For Wednesday,” Chicago Tribune, December 9, 1895. 13 “Mrs. Frank Funk Claimed by Death,” Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), September 7, 1923; “Frank Funks Open Home for Summer,” The Pantagraph, June 8, 1923, 8. 14 “Former Mayor B. F. Funk is Dead,” Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), February 15, 1909. 15 "Frank Hamilton Funk," Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=F000428 (15 July 2020); “Frank H. Funk Dies; Served in Congress,” Daily Pantagraph, November 25, 1940. 16 “Bloomington Precinct 2, McLean, Illinois,” United States Federal Census Year: 1920. 17 “Funk, in a Walk, Wins State Honor.” Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), August 5, 1912; “Sherman and Lewis Elected to Senate,” Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), March 28, 1913. 18 “Frank Hamilton Funk,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 2 Art Club (a women’s literary club organized in 1879) and the Amateur Musical Club (a women’s music organization that promoted increasing opportunities for citizens of Bloomington-Normal to experience music); and educational societies such as the Margaret Fuller Club (a social and literary club for women organized in 1893).19 Florence’s calling it seems, though, was community betterment; thus, she became actively involved in such local civic groups as the Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A) and the Women’s Club.20 In particular, her joining the local Women’s Club was apparently a turning point in her life. Women’s Clubs were formed throughout the nation under the core belief that women had a moral duty and responsibility to transform public policy.23 The Bloomington Women’s Club was founded in 1897 with the goal of making “it easier for the sentiments and convictions of the women to find expression,” as well as increase the political influence of Bloomington’s women.21 Sometime in 1914, Florence Funk began to develop a keen interest in the women’s suffrage movement, which was gaining traction around the country.22 Her commitment to the cause was probably an outgrowth of her involvement in the Women’s Club at the local, state (Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs), and national (National Federation of Women’s Clubs) levels. Funk was a member of the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association (IESA).23 And under the able direction of its president, Grace Wilber Trout, aggressively pressed the Illinois General Assembly into passing the Presidential and Municipal Voting Act, first in the Senate, and then in the more reluctant House of Representatives. The “phone brigade” was the preferred strategy, followed by letters and telegrams, in lobbying key lawmakers.24 When Governor Edward Dunne signed the bill into law on June 26, 1913, women could vote for president, select presidential electors, and fill municipal and township offices. While this was a big step forward for the cause of women’s suffrage in the United States, there were stipulations to this right for Illinois women. Women had to use separate ballots and ballot boxes.